John Sparling was a fair-haired allrounder, a solid right-hand batsman, capable offspinner and good fielder. In 1958 in England he scored 513 runs and took 38 wickets, forcing his way into the Tests side where he never really made his mark. He scored a dour 50 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on his 20th birthday, but that was as good as it got, and his international career was over by the time he was 25. He continued to play domestic cricket until 1971.
Martin Williamson